SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
The University of Alabama School of Social Work celebrates a remarkable chapter in its history. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, The Rising Tide 2.0 Capital Campaign has expanded opportunities, strengthened communities and elevated the School’s impact across Alabama and beyond.
Together, we have opened doors for students through transformative experiences in Washington, D.C., international travel and global learning. Donor support has empowered faculty to advance innovative research, influence policy and address society’s most pressing needs. Investments in rural mental health initiatives have also extended critical resources to underserved communities.
The success of The Rising Tide 2.0 is measured not only in dollars raised, but in lives changed, communities strengthened and futures transformed. Its impact will continue through every student educated, discovery made and community served.
LETTER FROM THE INTERIM DEAN
Welcome to the School of Social Work at the University of Alabama! I am honored to serve as Interim Dean of a school whose mission has never felt more essential.
Behind every important cause, there is a social worker. That’s not a slogan; it’s a description of what our students, faculty and alumni do every day, in courtrooms and health clinics, schools and statehouses, in every corner of Alabama and well beyond it. When people need someone to show up, ours is the profession that answers. Last year alone, our students provided over 122,000 hours of service to communities across 25 Alabama counties and 27 states, generating a statewide economic impact exceeding $3.12 million.
As the challenges communities face grow more complex, our School is engaged in educational and research initiatives that help advance UA’s mission to become a future-ready flagship Institution. Our work spans rural health, child and family wellbeing, Alzheimer’s disease and caregiving, and the needs of veterans, among many other causes.
Our reputation for excellence and innovation shows in how we do this work. For example, we’re teaching students to ethically incorporate artificial intelligence into community-based solutions, conducting research that advances our understanding of technology and neuroscience, and partnering with communities to translate research and education into real-world solutions.
This year, we are excited to share more of these stories with you, the stories of the difference our students and faculty make across this state and beyond. I invite you to follow our journey, celebrate our impact, and consider joining us as a student, partner or supporter.
Thank you for your interest in the School of Social Work. Together, we are building a future-ready Alabama, one act of service at a time.
Nicole Ruggiano
Interim Dean, School of Social Work
The University of Alabama
THE MOMENTUM WE BUILT
$7.5M
TOTAL RAISED
19
NEW ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS
2
NEW FACULTY SUPPORT
ENDOWMENTS
THE IMPACT OF RISING TOGETHER
Maurice and Lucy Kahlmus: Strengthening Rural Behavioral Health
Maurice Kahlmus’ career and commitment to behavioral health have shaped his and his wife Lucy’s desire to invest in the next generation of social workers.
A University of Alabama graduate with a BSW from the School of Social Work, Maurice spent his career in behavioral health administration in Mississippi. Through his professional experience, he saw firsthand the need for dedicated behavioral health professionals in rural communities and the importance of preparing students to meet those needs.
Together, Maurice and Lucy established the Maurice and Lucy Kahlmus Endowed Social Work Scholarship to encourage students from rural Alabama and Mississippi to pursue careers in behavioral health, particularly in rural areas. Their gift supports students as they prepare to serve communities where access to behavioral health services can be limited, helping build a stronger workforce close to home. Through this scholarship, the Kahlmuses are helping create opportunities for students while investing in the future of behavioral health across rural communities.
The Maurice and Lucy Kahlmus Endowed Social Work Scholarship will strengthen BSW education at the School of Social Work.
The Maurice and Lucy Kahlmus Endowed Social Work Scholarship will strengthen BSW education at the School of Social Work.
Amy Mansue: Investing in Real-World Learning
As a graduate of The University of Alabama School of Social Work’s BSW and MSW programs, Amy Mansue knows firsthand the transformative power of experiential learning.
Students from the UA School of Social Work pose for a photo during the 10th annual DC Fly-In in 2026
Students from the UA School of Social Work pose for a photo during the 10th annual DC Fly-In in 2026
Her own experience in the School’s Washington, D.C. Program played an important role in shaping her career and gave her valuable real-world experience that she continues to credit as a key part of her professional success. Today, Mansue is passionate about providing similar opportunities for the next generation of social workers.
In honor of her parents, Russell and Barbara Beaulieu, Mansue established the Russell and Barbara Beaulieu Endowed Support Fund to support students participating in the School of Social Work’s Washington, D.C. practicum program who are focused on program and agency administration.
The fund helps remove financial barriers while allowing students to gain firsthand experience in a professional and policy-focused environment. Since its creation, the scholarship has supported 17 students, extending Mansue’s own legacy of learning and leadership to future social work professionals.
Coy Stout and Jeffrey Falk: A Lasting Legacy of Support
Coy Stout and Jeffrey Falk have been tremendous ambassadors and supporters of The University of Alabama School of Social Work, demonstrating a deep commitment to the education, professional development and success of future social workers.
Coy Stout and Jeffrey Falk established five endowments in the School of Social Work during The Rising Tide 2.0 Capital Campaign.
Coy Stout and Jeffrey Falk established five endowments in the School of Social Work during The Rising Tide 2.0 Capital Campaign.
Stout, who earned both his BSW and MSW from UA, understood the value of a strong social work education and the opportunities that come from connecting classroom learning with research, practice and professional experiences.
Through their estate, Stout and Falk established five funds that will create a lasting impact across the School:
- Coy A. Stout II and Jeffrey S. Falk Distinguished Graduate Fellowship
- Coy A. Stout II and Jeffrey S. Falk Endowed Washington DC Program Faculty Support Fund
- Coy Albert Stout II Endowed Scholarship in the School of Social Work
- Coy A. Stout II and Jeffrey S. Falk Endowed Graduate Scholarship
- Coy A. Stout II and Jeffrey S. Falk Endowed Professorship in Social Work
Together, these gifts will support undergraduate and graduate education, research, scholarships, faculty retention and development and practicum learning opportunities through the School’s Washington, D.C. Program. Their generosity ensures that their commitment to social work will continue to benefit students and faculty for generations to come.